Joseph R. Uvanni
Joseph (Joe) R. Uvanni, 91 of Rome, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Bethany
Gardens, with his family by his side.
Joe was born on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, 1933, in Rome, NY, a son of Frank and
Concepta Uvanni. He graduated from Rome Free Academy (RFA) in 1951 and from Tuff’s
University in 1955. He then joined the Navy in 1955 and was commissioned to the US Navy.
He served on the USS Weiss APD 135 for 2 years. Joe then moved back to Rome and taught at
RFA from 1957 – 1992. Joe married Marline (Jan) Berryhill on September 13, 1960. Joe
earned his Master’s in Science teaching from Cornell in 1966 through the National Science
Foundation Grant. He retired as a Chemistry teacher at RFA in 1992.
Joe had a lot of interests and kept busy with many activities. His favorite was flying. He had
a license for both the glider and the power planes. He was a member of the Quiet Birdman
Flying society since 2010 as well as the SSA-the Soaring Society of America, EAA – National
and local chapters. Joe was a member of the Elks Club, St. John the Baptist Church, Galaxy
Aviation Club, American Chemical Society, National and local chapters, and the NYS Board of Regents . Joe wrote chemistry regents questions for 20 years. Joe made the armillary sundial at the new RFA.
Joe’s biggest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren. He liked teaching them
math and practical life things. Joe also enjoyed spending time with his friends and meeting at
the “airport” to enjoy the day flying, gliding, etc. In the later years, Joe was unable to fly
himself but that didn’t stop his glider friends who would take him up, which Joe loved. If you
knew Joe, you know he always had a good story to share. While his stories cannot be
confirmed as fact or fiction, they will still be missed.
Joe is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lee and Josh Kann of NM,
as well as two sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Celeste Uvanni and Marc and Pam Uvanni, all of Rome. Joe is also survived by his grandchildren: Stefan, Andrea, Christopher and Hannah; Nakeesia,
Trevor and Tyler; Kevin, Emma, Aiden and Benjamin, and 3 great grandchildren: Kaeden,
Sedona and Summit, all of whom he cherished. Joe and Jan loved to take their grandchildren
on road trips and spent countless hours with them. Joe was preceded in death by his wife,
Marline, (Jan) Uvanni, and his two brothers, Frank and Edward (Dick) Uvanni.
Funeral Services will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, July 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist
Church, 210 E. Dominick St., for a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. James Tormey, celebrant.
Calling hours will be at 10am prior to the mass. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rome Rescue Mission or a
Veteran’s association of your choice.
“Fly high Joe”
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